Pages

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Dinosaur Bones, Ohlone Reed Boats, and Historic Menus at the Carmel Valley History Museum in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget

Dinosaur Bones, Ohlone Reed Boats, and Historic Menus at the Carmel Valley History Museum in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget

The first thing that you will notice about the Carmel Valley History Museum when you arrive at the Carmel Valley Park is the shape of the museum.




It is built in the Monitor style that is still used for horse stables and cow barns throughout the Western US.  The Monitor style has a raised central aisle with two lower flanking sides.  Windows between the lower sides and central aisle let in light and let breezes through to remove hot air that rises from below.  Hay can be stored on a second floor built into the raised aisle.

The label for Junipero Swiss Cheese from the Schoch Dairy in Prunedale outside Salinas shows a modified Monitor Barn the family uses for their dairy.


What everyone comes to see at the Carmel Valley History Museum is the dinosaur hip bone found while plowing a local field.  According to the museum’s exhibit label, scientists need to find dinosaur teeth to identify if the hip bone belongs to a mastodon or mammoth.



A picture of a mammoth and mastodon shows why they are hard to tell apart.




A Rumsen Ohlone tule reed boat is a living tradition made by Linda Yamane from tule marsh weeds found in the marshes of Carmel Valley.




Students who are studying sustainable tourism at California State University Monterey Bay might be interested in the menu, and seating plan from Will’s Fargo Saloon and Restaurant that was in business for decades.  To enlarge the menu, spread your fingers apart on the image.








My photo is a bit tipsy


There are many other fun things to see at the Carmel Valley History Museum in Carmel Valley, California including saddles, wagon wheels, plows that look like one-wheeled bicycles, and old fashioned typewriters.  After your visit, you can walk in the park, picnic, or admire the Emerald City Playscape.



Saddle detail with flowers and lariat


Pear cart wagon wheel.  There were orchards in Carmel Valley before vineyards.


A ride over the Laureles Grade (10%) to Salinas follows an old cattle drive path to Salinas for market and Gonzales for fattening is a bit of a thrill ride ending for a day at the museum.

Note:

There is an Emerald City Playscape located by the museum.  I have posted some photos in the following blog:


During summer, you can buy a pass for the Carmel Valley Pool located in the park.  I have posted a summer staycation memoir below:


Locals and visitors alike might enjoy a recharge weekend at the Hidden Valley Inn, Laureles Lodge, or Bernardus Lodge, which are located nearby.

My family likes to eat at Rustica in Carmel Valley.  I reviewed the restaurant for the Monterey County Weekly when I was younger.  The blog follows in two parts:



I also reviewed The Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Carmel Valley, which is famous for heart Western breakfasts. My review for the Monterey County Weekly follows:


Woody’s now has a place in Carmel Valley.  I like their calamari steak and sand dabs, which I have written about in the blog below:


Happy Trails!

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France


 

Friday, September 12, 2025

Oktoberfest at Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey, California on September 20, 2025 reposted by Ruth Paget

The first ever Oktoberfest in Monterey, California is being held by California brew pub Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey, California on September 20, 2025 at the pub.  A separate event is taking place at Colton Hall.

Brew pub information:

Oktoberfest at Brew Pub

Colton Hall information:

Colton Hall Oktoberfest

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

31st Annual Carmel House Tour in Carmel, California reposted by Ruth Paget

The 31st Annual Carmel House Tour is being held on September 20, 2025.  I have reposted information below:

Carmel House Tour

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Thursday, September 11, 2025

62nd Annual Sandcastles Contest at the beach in Carmel, California reposted by Ruth Paget

The 62nd Annual Sand Castles Contest  at the beach is being held on September 14, 2025 in Carmel, California reposted by Ruth Paget.  Details about this event are reposted below from the Monterey County Weekly community calendar:

Sandcastles at the Beach

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Santa Cruz County Fair is 10 - 14, 2025 in Santa Cruz, California reposted by Ruth Paget

The Santa Cruz County Fair is being held on September 10 to14, 2025 in Santa Cruz, California.  Details about tickets and events follow:

Santa Cruz County Fair

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Haunted Hayride in King City, California on October 25, 2025 reposted by Ruth Paget

There will be a Haunted Hayride on October 25, 2025 in San Lorenzo Park in King City, California.  There will be local ghost stories, fortune tellers, food, and more.  I have reposted  details and ticket information about the event from the Monterey County Weekly Community Calendar below:

Haunted Hayride Information

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

Friday, September 5, 2025

Emerald City Playscape in Carmel Valley, California by Ruth Paget

Wizard of Oz readers and film lovers will love romping around here as they look for the Wizard in this Emerald Valley Playscape in Carmel Valley Park in California.  (The outdoor pool is next door for summer swimming and poolside burgers and hot dogs.)

Text and photos by Ruth Paget

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France



Grasshopper merry-go-round

Toadstool mushroom story time and puppetry area.


Wizard’s Tower